Despite Kidd's bitter exit, New Jersey Nets' Carter still close with ex-teammate

Nick Latham/Getty ImagesJason Kidd, who returned to New Jersey Friday night -- in a Mavs uniform -- remains good friends with the Nets' Vince Carter.

They still speak regularly, often by text messages, mostly about family business. Vince Carter even pals around with Jason Kidd's son -- the ubiquitous T.J. -- on occasion, most recently bringing him along when the Nets had their open practice at Ramapo in the preseason.

Even the families are close: When Carter's ex-wife and daughter come to visit New Jersey -- as they are doing this holiday week -- they often stay with Joumana Kidd and her three kids.

The two men haven't bowled in a while -- just as well, because Carter intimates that Kidd is no competition. But every time he picks up a golf club, he thinks of his friend, who got him his membership at Manhattan Woods in Rockland County, N.Y.

Basically, they are as close as most former teammates can be.

And yes, he misses him -- no matter how much Kidd wanted to get away from Carter and his other teammates throughout last season.

"When I first got here, he was the one who got me comfortable, and I lived in the same area he did," said Carter, as he anticipated Kidd's first appearance in a Dallas Mavericks uniform at Izod Center Friday night.

"And on the court, showing me what's expected, how things are done. It made things a lot easier. I had already played six years in the league, but coming in here -- being put in the fire, he and Jacque Vaughn were there for me."

Ask Carter who is the best player he ever played with, and he doesn't hesitate. He could have said his cousin, Tracy McGrady, who has as much talent as anyone who has ever played the game. He could have even said Hakeem Olajuwon (in terms of reputation, anyway), because any list of the all-time, top-10 centers includes his name.

But Carter says this: "J-Kidd was definitely (number) one. For as hard as it is to get one triple-double in your career, he did it with ease. He got triple-doubles like other guys got double-doubles. So I definitely give him that. He's a guaranteed Hall of Famer if he didn't want to play any more today."

It's not about Kidd the player, however. He thinks of their friendship first, even though he admits it's nearly impossible to penetrate that famous wall of stoicism. Carter can be that way himself, he admits. That's probably why they appreciated each other's company: There were no emotional demands -- just bowling, golf, kids and work.

If that was all they had in common, it was enough.

So he doesn't dwell on why it all went so wrong last season.

"I don't do that. It's not fair to any of these guys here," Carter said. "I look even farther back when T-Mac and I played together. We had an opportunity to be a great team, but it didn't happen. It's always the 'what-if,' and that's what it is. He left the team here, and that's just the way it goes."

Even without an adequate explanation of why he had to get out?

"Heck no. We all have an appreciation for who he is, what he brought to the table each and every night, and what he's done for the franchise," Carter said. "I mean, he turned it around in a year. Two Finals appearances, and it hasn't been anywhere close since. That speaks for itself."

That didn't answer the question about being more forthcoming with his displeasure with all things New Jersey -- including Carter himself, one surmises.

"That's who he is," Carter said. "It's not one of those things where I wish he'd speak up and be the blabbermouth. At some point Jay would have something to say when he had something to say. He knew when to step out of the box, so to speak."

That's the other thing about his friend, Carter said: There was no box, no way to categorize him, no way to pigeonhole him.

"There are guys who try to pattern their game after him," Carter said. "I won't say duplicate it, because you have to have the willingness to rebound and take the chances he does. They can't. He's one in a million."